More Resources

This lesson is the second in a series on the recent events in Egypt. The newest, Protests, Revolutions, and Democratic Change, helps students consider the potential effects of the protests on democracy and stability in the Middle East and North Africa. The first, Egypt's Uprising, provides students with fundamental information about the causes of the uprising, the role of new media, and the U.S response.

Mailing List

* Required Fields

Teaching with the News

After Mubarak

Objectives

Students will:

Explore the possible effects of Mubarak leaving office.

Identify the connection between the demonstrations in Egypt and other protests in the region.

Consider the potential effects of the protests on democracy and stability in the Middle East.

Resources

Note to Teachers

This lesson is the second in a series on the recent events in Egypt. The first, Egypt's Uprising, provides students with fundamental information about the causes of the uprising, the role of new media, and the U.S response. The third, Protests, Revolutions, and Democratic Change, helps students consider the potential effects of the protests on democracy and stability in the Middle East and North Africa.

You may choose to watch the videos as a class, or have students work in small groups. Your decision will probably depend on the availability of technology.

This lesson is intended as an introduction and may be used as a steppingstone to further inquiry.

1. Mubarak's Resignation

Ask students what they know about what is happening in Egypt. How has Mubarak's resignation affected the protests? Show students the following video of Professor Melani Cammett.

Melani Cammett

What are the potential effects if Mubarak leaves?

What does she believe the effects of Mubarak's departure might be? What else are protesters demanding? Now that Mubarak is gone, how might Egyptians channel the energy from the protests to seek further political change? What are the biggest challenges facing the Egyptian people in the months ahead?

2. Short Term and Long Term Stability

Tell students that one of the concerns frequently expressed about change in Egypt is that it will lead to instability in the region. Watch the following video. Tell students to write down the issues Professor Cammett identifies as short term and those she identifies as long term.

Melani Cammett

As the United States develops its response to events in Egypt, is there a conflict between democracy and stability?

What does she mean by "productive instability"? What would a period of productive instability look like for Egypt? How much short-term instability is acceptable to achieve long-term stability? Is the answer different for people of different countries? Ultimately, who do students think should make decisions about Egypt's future?

3. Democracy Movements in the Middle East

Have students watch the following video.

Melani Cammett

Are events in Egypt related to similar events in the region, specifically in Tunisia?

Show students the cartoon of Mubarak as a falling domino. What is shown on the first domino? (You may find Analyzing Political Cartoons to be a helpful resource for students). What do the dominoes represent? What does the cartoonist think the results of Egypt's revolution may be? Have students heard of other protests for democracy in the region? Where and when? How could the protests in Egypt affect other democracy movements throughout the Middle East?

Extra Challenge: This could be done as homework or in class. Break students into groups of three or four. Assign each group a country in the region (e.g., Iran, Jordan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Syria. etc.) Ask students to use the internet to research their country. Is their assigned country a democracy? Have government officials in their country made any statements about the protests in Egypt? Have there been protests for democracy there? If so, have they been influenced by the protests in Egypt?